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Winter storm hits Vancouver Island, thousands without power

Posted: Dec. 19, 2017 6:18AM | Last Updated: Dec. 19, 2017 3:27PM
CHEK

WATCH: A tree falls down on hydro lines in Cedar, B.C. Credit Mark Saunders

A snowfall warning is in effect for parts of Vancouver Island with up to 15 centimetres of snow predicted near Lake Cowichan.

In Greater Victoria, rain is expected at sea level but five to 10 centimetres of snow is expected at higher elevations, including the Malahat, throughout the day. Another five centimetres may fall in those same areas Tuesday evening.

Highway 1 at South Shawnigan Lake Road, looking north at 7:42 a.m. Credit: Drive BC

Highway 1 at South Shawnigan Lake Road, looking north at 7:42 a.m. Credit: Drive BC

On East Vancouver Island, from Duncan to Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay, rain is expected near the coast but higher elevations could see up to 10 centimetres of snow during the day. Another two to five centimetres is expected in the evening.

Inland Vancouver Island may see even more snow throughout the day. Environment Canada is predicting 10 to 15 centimetres over the southern sections of the region, especially near Lake Cowichan. Another five centimetres is in the forecast for Tuesday evening.

Snow in Sooke on Dec. 19.

The weather agency is warning drivers that rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult in some locations.

All three areas, as well as the Southern Gulf Islands, continue to be under a special weather statement as intensifying low-pressure system tracks across northern Washington State Tuesday, close to the B.C. border.

Precipitation is expected to ease by Tuesday night and much of the snow that falls on Tuesday may melt by Wednesday.

Snow is also likely Thursday as an Arctic front drops down from the B.C. Interior. The Arctic front will usher in colder air for the rest of the week.

Travel Delays

At 7:40 a.m., Drive BC reported that Highway 14 is closed in both directions at Kangaroo Road in Metchosin due to fallen hydro lines. The highway reopened at around 11 a.m.

WATCH: Cars hit the ditch during a winter storm on Vancouver Island on Dec. 19.

Malahat cars in ditch Dec 19

Malahat cars in ditch Dec 19

Duration 25s

Listen to Audio

WATCH: Heavy snow is seen while driving on the Port Alberni summit. Credit: Andrew Forin 

Driving on the Port Alberni summit

Driving on the Port Alberni summit

Duration 19s

Listen to Audio

A truck on fire on Highway 19 blocks northbound traffic outside of Lantzville around 10:30 a.m. Credit: Cristina Evanusich

BC Ferries says the MV Klitsa on the Brentwood Bay-Mill Bay route is 20 minutes behind schedule due to snow removal at Brentwood Bay and Mill Bay.

Harbour Air flights in Victoria and Nanaimo have been cancelled due to weather. There are also delays and cancellations at the Victoria International Airport due to the storm in Vancouver.

Power Outages 

Victoria Airport has an outage and is operating under emergency power. The cause is unknown and operations are slightly delayed.

BC Hydro says snow and freezing rain has impacted customers across Vancouver Island. All available resources are working to restore power as soon as possible. However, difficult conditions and extensive damage means that some customers may be dealing with longer outage times. There are more than 9,000 BC Hydro customers without power in Courtenay, North Cowichan, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum Beach. There are also more than 12,500 customers without power in:

  • Central Saanich
  • Highlands
  • North Saanich
  • Colwood
  • Langford
  • Metchosin
  • Sooke
  • Duncan
  • Galiano Island
  • Ganges
  • Lake Cowichan
  • North Cowichan
  • Sidney
  • Saanich
  • Victoria

Area of power outage in Lanztville with 2,821 BC Hydro customers without power.

Area of power outage in Lanztville with 2,821 BC Hydro customers without power.

The latest power outages can be found on the BC Hydro website. 

Schools

Sooke School District #62 announced just before 8 a.m. that classes are cancelled at its schools but all schools will remain staffed and open.

Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District #68 is open and buses are running. Pleasant Valley Elementary is without power and parents are encouraged to pick up their child, if it is an option. Tuesday’s Christmas concert has been postponed. Randerson Ridge Elementary and Dover Bay Secondary do not have power. École North Oyster is also without power or water and parents encouraged to pick up their child.

The Cowichan Valley School District will be sending students home early due to worsening weather conditions. All schools will remain open until every single child has been picked up safely or is on a bus.

Qualicum School District No. 69 says Kwalikum Secondary School, Arrowview Elementary, Errington Elementary, L’Ecole Oceanside Elementary and Nanoose Bay Elementary are being closed due to power outages. Parents have been contacted and buses sent to the schools. The entire district is on a two-and-half-hour early dismissal. Staff will remain at the schools until all students are dismissed.

Send your pictures and videos of the B.C. storm on Vancouver Island to [email protected]

Snow in Mill Bay on Dec. 19. Credit: Mony Vesseur

Snow in Mill Bay on Dec. 19. Credit: Mony Vesseur

Snow in Nanaimo on Dec. 19. Credit: Jenn Houtby Ferguson

Snow at West Shawnigan Lake. Credit: Bonnie Scott

Snow near Qualicum Beach. Credit: Jocelyn Sheppard.

Michelle Cooper sent CHEK this picture of her dog in the snow in the Highlands.

Michelle Cooper sent CHEK this picture of her dog in the snow in the Highlands.

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